Early post-game reactions and multimedia

The Detroit Red Wings staged a spectacular, 5-goal comeback and upstaged the Chicago Blackhawks, defeating the Hawks 6-4 at the Winter Classic II at Wrigley Field. Nicklas Lidstrom, speaking to the Associated Press (for its game recap), was happy with both the experience and his team's result:

January 1, Associated Press: "It exceeded my expectations," said Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom, who returned after missing two games with a sore ankle. "I don't think the wind or playing outdoors bothered either team."

January 1, ESPN: fter falling behind 3-1 in the first period, the Wings charged into the lead with a three-goal second period.

Underrated Wings left winger Jiri Hudler netted a pair of rebound goals to tie the game, before superstar Pavel Datsyuk scored a brilliant goal -- splitting Hawks defensemen Cam Barker and Brian Campbell and beating goalie Cristobal Huet with a backhand to the five-hole along the ice.

Datsyuk's terrific individual effort seemed to take some of the life out of the Hawks and the home crowd. The Wings further dampened the outlook of the Wrigley faithful with a pair of early third-period goals (they were scored just 16 seconds apart by Brian Rafalski and Buffalo Grove, Ill., native Brett Lebda). With five unanswered goals, the Wings seemed to be wishing the Hawks and their fans a Happy New Year.

USA Today's Kevin Allen continues to update his blog on a regular basis, and he says this about Babcock's decision to play Chris Chelios, who saw the ice for only 1:57:

January 2, USA Today: (Midway through the first period)NHL coaches are essentially paid to make decisions, and Detroit coach Mike Babcock earned his money when he choose to play Mikael Samuelsson against the Blackhawks.

Babcock showed his sentimental side by playing Chicago native Chris Chelios, even though Chelios is not among Detroit's top six defensemen anymore. To do that, Babcock opted to dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards, instead of the usual six and 12.

The presumption was that Samuelsson would be the odd-man out, only because he had missed Detroit's last game with illness. Instead, Babcock decided to sit Tomas Kopecky.